Train-pipe coupling.



W. F. GLASEN.

TRAIN PIPE GQUPLING. APPLIQATION FILED MAY 19, 1913.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

2 SHEETS-451313111 1.

W. F. GLASEN.

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

AVPPLIOATION FILED-MAY 19, 1913.

1,118,107 Patented Nov. 24, 1914.-

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WILLIAM F. OLA-SEN, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

TRAIN-PIPE COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patent'd' N 24 1914 Application filedMay 19, 1913. Serial. No. 768,413.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. CLASEN, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State oflVisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Train-Pi eCouplings, of which the following is a e soription, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in train pipe couplings, andparticularly to the class of train pipe couplings wherein metalliccoupling pipes are adapted to be substituted for the ordinary hose pipeconnections, and consists more particularly in certain improvements uponLetters Patent of the United States issued to me under date of March 2,1909, No. 913,811.

The primary object of the present improvements is to provide aconstruction wherein an improved form of connection is employed, wherebythe terminal sections of the coupling are united in such manner thatsaid terminal sections will be absolutely prevented from accidentalseparation due to any turning or vibratory movement occasioned by jarsor other causes, to which they may be subjected while the device iscoupled or in use between cars, while yet at the same time permitting ofthe longitudinal separation of said terminal members when the cars aresubjected to undue longitudinal stresses due to either accidental ordesigned uncoupling thereof.

With the above primary, and other incidental. objects in view, theinvention consists of the devices and parts, or the equiva- Tentsthereof, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a side view of my inventionshowing it connected to the train pipes of two cars; Fig. 2 is a planwiew of the device detached from the cars; Fig. 3 is a longiti'idinalsection of the terminal members of the device. showing said memberscoupled together. and also showing the spring actuated dogs and theirhandles, the handle of one of said dogs being shown as partly brokenaway; Fig. 4 is a side view of the terminal mem bers coupled together;Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 through the te mnal members of the device; Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of thestraight sections of the coupling and one of the elbowed secleather, orother suitable. material.

tions thereof, the straight section being broken away; Fig. 7 is ahorizontal section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 looking upwardly in thedirection of the arrows; and Fig. 8 is a similar section to Fig. 7, butshowing a continuous split spring ring for bearing against the outer andinner flanges or flaps of the U-shaped packing, instead of the two splitspring rings shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 9 9 indicate fragments of twocars adapt ed to be coupled together by ordinary car coupling members10-10. Depending brackets 1111 from the cars carry the or dinary trainpipes 1212 of the respective cars, said pipes provided with the usualvalves 13-13 whereby the pipes may be closed when the cars areseparated.

My improved train pipe coupling consists of two complementary portionsand each of said portions-consists of a plurality of me tallic members,the member which is connected to the train pipe being indicated by thenumeral 14, the two next succeeding upper elbows of one coupling memberby the numerals 1515, the next succeeding straight member of eachcoupling member by the numeral 16, the two next succeeding lower elbowsof each coupling member by the numerals 1717, and the terminal straightmember of each coupling section 'by the numeral 18, the latter beingprovided.

at its extremity with a locking head 19. It will be seen, therefore,that each coupling member, besides including the straight members 16 and18. the locking head 1.) and the elbow 11 which connects to the trainpipe, also includes two upper elbows 17 -15 and two lower elbows 17-17.

The members 14, 15, 16. 17 and 19 are connected by normally inseparablejoints. which are arranged. however. to permit relative rotation of therespective members. The construction of these joints is best illustratedin Figs. 6, 7 and 8. From these'figurcs it will be noticed that each endof an elbow member is provided with an enlarged annular head 20 forminganinterior seat 21 for an inverted U-shaped packing 9?. of

luteriorlv this head is also provided with an annular shoulder 23 uponwhich rests the lower end of a tube 24. the said tube evtriulingoutwardly from the head and be ng provided with female threads for theugagement therewith of male threads on the til) end of the neatadjacent elbow member. intermediate of its length the tube 24 is formedor provided with an annular shoulder 25, which, in conjunction with theseat 21. forms an annular space 26 for the accoinmodation of theinverted U-shaped packing 22.

For the purpose of holding the head or en largement 20 in engagementwith the tube 24, I employ a clamping ring formed of the sections 2727hinged together at 28, and connected together at their opposite ends bymeans of a removable split pin 29. This hinge connection is clearlyshown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings. By withdrawing the pin 29 thesections of the ring can, of course, be swung outwardly out of theirclamping engagement.

l employ the inverted llshaped packing instead of an ordinary packing,in view of the fact that the former forms a much more efficientpreventative a ainst leakage at the joint. By its lJ-shaped form twoflaps or wings are necessarily provided, one bearing against the outerwall of the annular space 26 and the other against the inner wallthereof. To insure the best results, however, and to furthermore insurepositive bearing and contact of these flaps against the said walls,spring pressure is provided against both the outer and inner flaps. Anydesired form of spring pressure may be employed, so long as the springaction is such as to cause spring pressure in opposite directionsagainst the respective flaps. Tn Fig. '4' f show the spring in the formof two separate and distinct split spring rings, designated by thenumerals 30-30, one bearing against the outer flap of the packing andthe other against the inner flap thereof, while in Fig. 8 1 show amodified form wherein the spring is in the form of a single coiled.split spring ring 31, a. portion thereof acting against the outer flapand another p01 tion thereof against the inner flap.

By the construction ofgthe joint described, it will be seen that one ofthe members is capable of rotation freely within the other, and yetleakage is eifectually QiQYEIltStl by the employment of the novel formof paclo ing. Also by providin" or relative rotation of the members asub antially universal movement of the terminal sections l818 ispermitted, since the of members are so connected as to be permitted torotate on a plurality of horizontal extending at right angles to eachother and on one ver' tical axis.

Fig. 3 of the drawing, taken in connection with F igs. 1, 2, d and 5,clearly illustrates the construction of the separable coupling jointbetween the terminal members 18. Each of the locking heads 19 of theterminal members 18 is provided with a seg mental tongue 82, whichtongue is provided a are o? at its outer edge and medially thereof withan open-ended slot 33, and each coupling member is also provided with asegmental or arc-shaped projection 34 against which the inner face ofthe opposed segmental tongue 82 is adapted to hear, when the couplingheads are brought into coupling relation. The inner faces of thesearc-shaped projections are also on a bevel, and the opposed faces of thesegmental tongues are likewise beveled, so asto cause a wedgingengagement between the two, as most clearly shown in Fig. 5. Thesegmental tongues are furthermore provided at their outer edges withrounded beads 35, which are adapted, when the parts are in lookingengagement, to fit in segmental grooves 36 formed on the inner faces ofthe segmental projections, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Extending outwardly from each segmental projection 34: is a springcasing or container 37, preferably provided with a screw-cap so as toafford ready access to the spring when the cap is unscrewed. Within eachcasing or container is a coiled spring 38. The inner end of each springbears against the head of a locking dog 39, the inner end of said dogbeing on a bevel (see Figs. 3 and 5). The dogs, when the locking headsare in looking engagement with each other, are adapted to engage theopen-ended slots 33 of the segmental tongues 32. The dogs have connectedthereto pivoted handies 40 which are pivotally mounted in re cesses llfor the accommodation thereof, the inner ends of said handles projectingthrough slots formed in the sides of the easings or containers '37, soas to engage the locking dogs. Whenever it is desired to release thelocking dogs from engagement with the open-ended slots 33 the outer armsof the handles are pressed inwardly, and

this will necessarilv cause outward movement of the. dogs against thecontrary action of the springs.

The passage 42 through the locking head extends horizontallytherethrough (see Fig. 8), and then at an angle, the angular extensionsof the two passages 42 of the respective locking heads being alined,though held slightly apart by compressible rings 43. These rings arearranged to project resiliently laterally beyond the bordering edges ofthe angular extensions of the passages 42, so that the surfaces or thesaid bordering edges remain normally separated by the resilient pressureof the packing, thus pushing the rounded beads 35 of the segmentaltongues forcibly but yieldingly into the grooves 36 and tending toprevent longitudinal separation of the locking heads. It

is obvious that the compressible rings effectually prevent lateralleakage.

Each arc-shaped pro ection 34 at one end has extending therefrom a stoppin 44.

the groove of the segmental or arc-shaped projection. e

In the useof the device, when it is desired to couple the locking heads,the segmental tongue 82 of each head is passed into the space .above thesegmental or arc-shaped projection 34, the insertion being made from theside opposite to the side where the stop pins 44.- are located. When soinserted the rounded beads 35 of thetongues engage the grooves 36 of theprojectionsEi i andridein said grooves as the two lockinghe'ads areswung inwardly, toward locking engagement. Also, as-the segmental tongue32. is swung around on the segmental or arcshaped projection there is awedging action between the two, owing to the provision of;

the opposed beveled surfaces hereinbefore.

referred to. \Vith the movement of the segmental tongue, as explained,it will contact with the beveled end of the locking dog, and therebyraise said locking dog against the contrary action of the coiled spring38, and permit of the open-ended slot of the segmental tongue cominginto registration with the end of said dog. The moment this registration takes place, the coiled spring will expand and force the dog intoengagement with said slot. Of course, exactly the same operation occurswith respect to the other dog, so that the parts are therebylockedtogether.

This particular form of locking means has most'decided advantages, inthat it prevents any accidental separation due to turning or vibratorymovement occasioned by jars or otherwise, while at the same time thelongitudinal separationfof the locking heads is permitted when the carsare subjected to unusual or undue longitudinal stresses, as, forinstance, from the uncoupling, thereof, either designedly or'accidentally. To make this advantage clearer, it will be noticed thatthe segmental tongues can only be brought into engagement from the sidesopposite to the sides where the stop pins 44: are located. When thetongues areturned 1nwardly sufiiciently farto permit of the engagementof the locking dogs with the openended slots, it is obvious that if anyturning or vibration takes place, and which is sure to occur when thedevice isin use, the

segmental tongues cannot work out of place in a direction opposite tothe location of the stop pins 44, for the reason that the high portions'of the beveled ends 0t thetlochng dogs will bein contact with the.far-Walls of the slots, and thus prevent any movement in that direction.Again, it will be impossible for the tongues to work out of engagementin the opposite direction, for the reason that the stop pins 44 willprevent, this taking place. At the same time, however, there isnothingto prevent the longitudinal separation of the parts at an time,inasmuch asa longitudinal pull ,wil readily release the rounded beads 35from the grooves 36, and

as the slots 33 are open-ended they, of course,

will not interfere with this longitudinal sep- "arationAQWhiIe couplingshave heretofore WQ P Y dB -W Q separatiomthey have; een open toobjection ermit of longitudinal on thefgroundof the '-,li;ability =ofaccidental 1 separation when coupled members turn or, are vibrated, no?means having heretofore been devised for @preventinggthel' same, inconnection with meansl 'for. permitting 10f longitudinal separation, asisfthefcasegwith .my nventionq} Another important resurrect theinventionwhich, has heretoforebeen allu'ded'fto' the invertedU-shapedpacking torthe swiv-' -and fully explained, is theemployment' or cling'joints, and thejspr ng ressure device in coniiection. therewith, W,ereby a' free turning at, the "joints is'per'mitted, whileyet a mostefiicient; provision is 'niadeagainst leakage. 11 f What Iclaim is:

1. In a train pipe coupling, the combine. tion of sets of'pipes adaptedto be connected with thetrain pipes of coupled cars, each set consistingof a series of pipe sections connected with each other by joints adaptedto permit a relative rotation, a terminal member for each set providedwith a coupling head, said coupling head having a member adapted to fitwithin and to interlock interiorlyv with a par-ton the other couplinghead to prevent longitudinal separation of the parts under ordinarystrains, and said interlocking'member being provided at its end ed cwith an open-ended longitudinally-I extending slot, stop devicesarranged on one side of each coupling head to prevent sepatowardsaidside, and a locking dog carried by each cou' ling head, the dog of onecoupling head adapted to engage the open-ended: or" the interlockingmember of the other? coupling head, when said heads are engaged" withthe train pipes of coupled cars, each set 5 ration of said'heads whenswung or vibrated consisting oft a series of pipe sections connectedwith each other by joints adapted to permit a relative rotation, aterminal memher for each set provided with a coupling head, saidcoupling headhaving a member adapted to interlock with a part on theothercoupling head to prevent longitudinal Separation of the parts underordiiiary strains, and said interlocking member being provided at itsend edge with an open-ended slot, stop devices arranged on one side ofeach coupling head to prevent separation of said heads when swung orvibrated toward said side, and a spring-actuated locking dog carried byeach coupling head, the dog on one coupling head adapted by springpressure to automatically engage the open-ended slot of the interlockingmember of the other coupling head, when said heads are engaged one withthe other, and each of said dogs provided with a beveled end, the bevelbeing in a direction to prevent separation of the coupling heads, whensaid heads are turned Or vibrated in a direction away from the stopdevices.

3. In a train pipe coupling, the combination of sets of pipes adapted tobe connected with the train pipes of coupled cars, each set consistingof a series of pipe sections connected with each other by joints adaptedto permit a relative rotation, a terminal member for each set providedwith a coupling head, said coupling head having a member adapted to fitwithin and to interlock interiorly with a part on the other couplinghead to prevent longitudinal separation of the parts under ordinarystrains, and said interlocking member being provided at its end edgewith an open ended longitudinallyextending slot, stop devices arrangedon one side of each coupling head to prevent separation of said headswhen swung or vibrated toward said side, a spring-actuated locking dogcarried by each coupling head, the dog on one coupling head adapted byspring pressure to automatically engage the openended slot oi theinterlocking member of the other coupling head, when said heads areengaged one with the other, and each of said dogs provided with abeveled end, the bevel being in a direction to prevent separation of thecoupling heads, when said heads are turned or vibrated in a directionaway from the stop devices, and handles connected to the locking dogsand accessible from exterior, said handles, when operated, adapted torelease the dogs from looking engagement.

4. in a train pipe coupling, the combination of sets of pipes adapted tobe connected iliane"? with the train pipes of coupled cars, each setconsisting of a series oi pipe sections connected with each other byjoints to permit a relative rotation, a terminal member for each setprovided with a coupling head adapted to fit the correspondin couplinghead of the terminal member 0 the other set, and having tongued andgrooved members adapted to be swung into mutual interlocking engagementwith the corresponding.

tongued and grooved members of the other set to prevent longitudinalseparation of the heads under ordinary strains, each tongued projectionbeing rovided at its end edge with an open-en edlongitudinally-extending slot, stop devices arranged on oneside of eachcoupling head to prevent separation of said heads when swung or vibratedtoward said side, and a locking dog carried by each coupling head, thedog of one couplin head adapted to engage the open-ended s ot of thetongued projection of the other coupling head, when said heads areengaged one with the other, each of said dogs provided with a beveledend, the bevel being in a direction to prevent se aration of thecoupling heads, when said iieads are turned or vibrated in a directionaway from the stop devices.

5. In a train pipe coupling, the combination of sets of pipes adapted tobe connected with the train pipes of coupled cars, each set consistingof a series of pipe sections connected with each other by joints adaptedto permit a relative rotation, a terminal mem.-- ber for each set, theterminal members being provided with interlocking means, adapted. tointerlock with each other interiorly, when the terminal members areadjusted together each interlocking means provided with an open-endedlongituolnally-extending slot, stop devices on one side of each couplinghead to prevent separation of said heads when swung or vibrated towardsaid side, and a locking dog carried by each coupling head, the dog ofone coupling head adapted to engage the open-ended slot of theinterlocking means of the other coupling'head, when said heads areengaged one with the other, and each of said dogs provided with abeveled end, the bevel being in a direction to prevent separation of thecoupling heads, when said heads are turned or vibrated in a directionaway from the stop devices.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM F. CLASEN.

Witnesses:

C. H. KEENEY, v KATHERINE HOLT.

